The National Television Awards 2019 longlist announced

The nominees include Ant & Dec as Best Presenter for what could be another record-breaking year, despite Ant’s hiatus from the entertainment industry. They’re up against the likes of Piers Morgan, Jonathan Ross and Graham Norton.

The longlist also includes Jodie Whittaker for Best Drama Performance, for her role as the Doctor in Doctor Who – despite the fact she has only headlined two episodes so far. The category also includes Sandra Oh and Jodie Comer for Killing Eve, Aidan Turner for Poldark and Kit Harington for Gunpowder.

The 2019 Awards marks the first time New Dramas and Continuing Dramas have been celebrated separately, with the inaugural New Drama Award. The nominees include Killing Eve, Kiri and Bodyguard. Elsewhere, Best Drama includes old stalwarts including Poldark, Our Girl and Call The Midwife.

Voting for the longlist stage of the National Television Awards will end on Friday, October 26 at 11pm, whereafter a new shortlist will be open for voting.

The National Television Awards ceremony, hosted by Dermot O’Leary, will take place at the 02 Arena on January 22, 2019. Vote for your favourites here.

National Television Awards 2018 shortlist announced

This year’s National Television Awards shortlist has been announced. The NTAs are fast approaching, in which hundreds of stars come together to celebrate the very best of British television over the… read more

More on NTAs

The National Television Awards 2017: The winners

Ant and Dec won their 16th consecutive Best TV Presenter award at the National Television Awards.

The Geordie duo beat off tough competition from Bake Off‘s Mel & Sue to claim the crown for the 16th year running. Despite their constant success, Dec Donelly told reporters: “If anything we get more and more grateful every year because we are never quite sure when this run is going to end. The fact that it hasn’t tonight, we are thoroughly grateful to everyone that voted for us.”

The pair had plenty of reasons to smile, as they also won Best Entertainment Programme for Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway and Best Challenge Show for I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!.

EastEnders‘ Lacey Turner also picked up yet another National Television Award for Best Serial Drama Performance.

In response to receiving her fourth NTA, Turner said: “Thank you. Oh my goodness. I was so sure I was staying in my seat. Thank you so much to everyone who voted to everyone who has supported me over the last 12 years. I can’t tell you how much it means.”

Elsewhere, Sarah Lancashire won Best Drama Performance for Happy Valley and Casualty beat Game of Thrones to win Best Drama.

More on NTAs

Victoria and Poldark go head to head again in the 2017 NTAs

Sunday night television hits Poldark and Victoria are set to rekindle their rivalry as they face one another in the 2017 National Television Awards.

The shortlist was announced today and sees the two popular shows compete in the hotly contested new category, Period Drama. Alongside Poldark and Victoria, and definitely not to be discounted, are Call The Midwife, Peaky Blinders and Stranger Things. The nomination for the Netflix hit Stranger Things is the first ever National Television Award nomination for an original programme from a streaming service.

The Drama category is also hotly contested, with the popular adaptation of The Night Manager starring Tom Hiddleston up against the renewed Cold Feet and the US phenomenon that is Game of Thrones.

Hiddleston is also up for the Best Dramatic Performance gong, alongside Peaky Blinders‘ Cillian Murphy, Happy Valley‘s Sarah Lancashire and Victoria‘s Jenna Coleman.

In soaps, EastEnders star Lacey Turner is up for yet another award for her applauded performance as Stacey Slater, who suffered postpartum psychosis at the start of 2016. Hoping to take her on are Coronation Street‘s Jack P Shepherd, and Emmerdale‘s Danny Miller and Natalie J Robb.

Of course, there are some categories that might not be quite so highly contested – Ant and Dec are up for their sixteenth consecutive NTA for Best Presenter. They’ll face competition from Mel & Sue, Gary Lineker, James Corden and Rylan Clark-Neal.

The final round of voting for the 2017 National Television Awards begins today. Telly fans can vote for free online at www.nationaltvawards.com or by phone on 0905 647 2017 (calls cost 25p per minute).

The National Television Awards ceremony will take place on January, 25 2017 at The 02 London, where Dermot O’Leary will host. It will be broadcast live on ITV.

More on EastEnders

NTAs SPECIAL: Interview with Danny Dyer

The crowd went wild for EastEnders star Danny Dyer, who won his second award for best serial drama performance at the National Television Awards last night. Speaking with the press backstage, Dyer was his usual cheeky self, particularly when weighing in on returning ‘Enders favourite Ross Kemp. Here’s what he had to say:

Are you in EastEnders for the long run now?

DD: To be honest with you I was in a bad way, and EastEnders has been my saviour. I’m forever grateful that they’ve given me such a beautiful character to play. I’m running the Queen Vic, and I love every second of it. It’s hard work, I’m not taking anything for granted, but I can’t believe I’m winning awards! What’s going on here?! What’s happened to the world?

Is there any chance of getting Danny Dyer on Strictly?

DD: Are you off your nut?! Mate, I’m too lazy. I can’t be bothered with all that. I just wrote a book! Do you know what I mean? They triple the wages for Strictly, easy. Piece of piss.

So you would do it?

DD: No mate, you’re having a laugh. I can’t be bothered.

How do you feel about Ross Kemp bringing Grant Mitchell back to EastEnders?

DD: Excited, actually! It was on and off, on and off, and it’s a shame to lose Barbara [Windsor], but I’d like to have a tear up with him. He’s a lovely man, Ross is actually. Yeah I can’t wait, it will be interesting to see what he brings to the table.

Do you think your characters could butt heads?

DD: Sorry? You want me to head butt ‘im? Nah I’m not gonna nut ‘im. I would like to see him come in and throw his weight around a little, he’s not been in Walford for a while. You know, he’s been running around doing what I used to do, in gangs and all that, and now he’s coming into my territory all of a sudden… Listen, as I say, it’s news to me. I think it’s a beautiful thing. Hopefully we’ll become friends. If not, he’s gonna get thrown across the bar!

More on Features

NTAs SPECIAL: Interview with Poldark’s Aidan Turner

Arguably the name that everyone – be they male or female – was most excited about at last night’s National Television Awards was that of Poldark‘s Aidan Turner. It came as no surprise that Turner’s shirtless scything won him the first ever ‘TV moment of the year’ award at the ceremony, and the reception to meet him as he came off stage and into the backstage area was nothing short of extraordinary. This is what Turner had to tell us during his limited conversation with the press:

How have you found the massive reaction to Poldark?

AT: I don’t know, I haven’t really noticed. When you’re working, you’re working. We’ve been doing six-day weeks all the time, and you just kind of get caught up in that. Walking down the street sometimes I get stopped.

Do you feel under pressure to maintain the physique you’ve become so famous for amongst the female public?

AT: There’s an element of that, but I think I’ve finished all the slightly naked scenes I might be doing. I think they might all be done by this stage.

Do you feel objectified at any point?

AT: Not a bit. Never did.

How often to female fans try to get you on a date?

AT: It doesn’t happen very often! Which is not what I expected at all!

What’s the mood been like on set after the success of the first series?

AT: It’s always nice to go back to the show – I did it with Being Human where I’ve gone back in after a huge success and started on season two, and it’s always quite brilliant. It’s great.

Do you think there’s a likelihood of further seasons at this stage?

AT: I hope so, yeah, it would be nice, but we need to keep the standard high. If the standard keeps the way it is, we keep doing it. If it drops, we’re off, like everything else.

Can you tell us what you might be doing next?

AT: I don’t know! I’m going to travel for a bit. I’ve been workingback to back on jobs for years now, but yeah, I don’t know.

You mentioned Being Human, which aired on BBC Three. What do you think about the channel’s upcoming move to online?

AT: I didn’t know that… I seem to be out of the loop for everything, I had no idea. That’s quite sad. Danny Cohen is fantastic and he was pioneering that network for a long time, and I hope it does well. It’s a great network.

How has your family reacted to your rise to fame?

AT: Mum’s proud! She’s dead proud, she’s proud of everything I do. I’ve never really asked her though, like ‘what do you think of this?’. She’s just proud of her boy, you know.

Where are you going to keep the trophy?

AT: I don’t know, where’s a good place for a trophy? Is it a bathroom job? Yeah, that says it all, doesn’t it?!

NTAs SPECIAL: Our interview with Lorraine Kelly

A famously friendly and approachable presence, the one and only Lorraine Kelly stopped by for a chat with us on the red carpet of last night’s 21st annual National Television Awards. We spoke to Lorraine… read more

More on Features

NTAs SPECIAL: Our interview with Lorraine Kelly

A famously friendly and approachable presence, the one and only Lorraine Kelly stopped by for a chat with us on the red carpet of last night’s 21st annual National Television Awards. We spoke to Lorraine about her career, inspirations, and whether or not she’d be up for a spot on Strictly. Here’s what she had to say:

TVDaily: Hey Lorraine, you’re looking absolutely stunning tonight!

Lorraine Kelly: Oh, thank you! I wasn’t sure about a red dress on the red carpet, but I asked my style advisor – my daughter – and she said this bag and these shoes [both silver] would be fine. She’s very good.

TVD: You’re cited by many as a very inspirational woman – but who inspires you?

LK: My mother, and Oprah Winfrey. I was so lucky to meet Oprah and to interview her, and she was everything I hoped she would be. I loved her. She’s broken so many barriers, the glass ceiling, and given such a lot back to other women. She’s a great voice for all women; women of all ages, colours, nationalities and religion. I love that.

TVD: What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?

LK: You’ve got to do your homework. I still do that – I’ve got two shows tomorrow, and I’ll do my homework for those. It’s all about putting the graft in – nothing comes easy. Which is good.

TVD: That’s a shame! We’d hoped you’d say it was no hard work at all…
So there’s been talk about you and Strictly Come Dancing. Would you do it?

LK: Never! You know the way on Strictly Come Dancing they always have contestants who are rubbish, but really sweet and funny? I would just be rubbish.

TVD: You’d be really sweet and funny though!

LK: No, I wouldn’t, I’d just be really bad! I think for any of [the professionals] if they got me it would just be like dancing with a tree. I mean I can do my exercises really well, and that’s as a class, but when it comes down to one-on-one and it’s moves, and being elegant, no. I wouldn’t be any good. I love the show, and I love to watch, but I’d be dreadful.

TVD: How about any of the other reality shows? Could we see you on them?

LK: No! Never! Never ever ever ever.

TVD: You’re too good for them!

LK: Well, I don’t know about that! I like to watch them, although I think Celebrity Big Brother has just got… Well, I found all those young girls screaming and shouting at one another and calling each other the C word absolutely horrific! I was really offended by that. And I was embarrassed for them, actually. I really was. It was horrible. Using that word is unnecessary.

TVD: When people meet you do they feel like they know you?

LK: Yes, and that’s lovely, because it really breaks down barriers. Especially if you’re interviewing people like a lot of Hollywood stars that get interviewed about ten times a day, and they’re getting dead behind the eyes. If you’ve met them before, it just makes it easier. Also I think being Scottish makes it easier in a weird way! Because they always go “Ah, you’re from Scotland”! George Clooney I remember saying “Oh my god, I love golf”, and I was telling him where to go play golf, where to go on holiday… I think that helps! The more you do it, the more it’s easier.

TVD: Excellent pointers from one interviewer to another!

[We were clearly too in awe to take a proper photo of Lorraine, so apologies for the insane collage in its place]

NTAs SPECIAL: Our interview with Phillip Schofield

One of our favourite people to catch up with on the red carpet of last night’s 21st annual National Television Awards was This Morning presenter Phillip Schofield. Here’s what ol’ Schofe had to tell… read more

More on Features

NTAs SPECIAL: Our interview with Phillip Schofield

One of our favourite people to catch up with on the red carpet of last night’s 21st annual National Television Awards was This Morning presenter Phillip Schofield. Here’s what ol’ Schofe had to tell us about everything from bondage to that rumoured rift between he and fellow anchor Holly Willoughby. Big congratulations to Phillip and the whole team of ThisMorning, who went on to win this year’s NTA for best live magazine show.

TVDaily: Hey Phillip! How do you feel?

Phillip Schofield: Great! It’s a lovely event for all of us. We all come down on the boat; a whole bunch of us have come down. But they leave you here, they don’t take you home, so we’re all walking back.

*Billy Connelly interrupts to say hi*

Oh – that’s quite nice when Billy Connelly comes by and says he’s just watched you this morning!

TVD: How do you feel about the sex stuff you cover on This Morning?

PS: Oh, it’s absolutely fine! I’m unshockable – can’t be shocked, can’t be surprised… We’ve done it all! Then again there’s nothing that we really do that Richard and Judy weren’t pushing the boundaries of years ago. There is a boundary that we constantly push. Also, we don’t do much of it; that’s the thing. Normally there’s a reason. For example, the whole bondage thing that we did that caused such a furore was all because of Fifty Shades of Grey. So there’s a reason to do it. We haven’t done it for months, but we’re always on the lookout for a good idea!

TVD: Do you ever have mornings where you’re just not in the mood to do the show?

PS: Well Holly and I have a long gossip in the makeup room beforehand, so by the time we get into the studio we’ve gone through everything – what happened the night before, what you’ve done, what’s annoying you, what’s gone wrong, what’s gone right, so we’ve done all of that anyway.

TVD: So how do you respond to rumours about a rift between you and Holly?

PS: I don’t know where it comes from! It’s hilarious! It’s just nonsense made up, and just irrelevant to us. After we’ve done This Morning we put our next lunch in the diary, the two of us go out, and we have a good ol’ goss’ and a laugh. My wife and Holly’s husband Dan get on, and everyone gets on as a foursome. It’s much more interesting if people say there’s a rift, but there really isn’t.

TVD: Did you ever predict your career would go in this direction?

PS: Well, you always think you’re lucky… It’s a lucky thing to be doing, and I never forget how lucky I am to be doing it. I’m lucky to have great shows, and great people that I work with, and I still enjoy my job after doing it for the amount of time that I’ve been doing it; I still love getting up in the morning and getting into work… We just last night shot the first in a new series of You’re Back in the Room, so we’re doing more of those, and it’s all lovely! It keeps me entertained, and interested, and sharp and bright, so I love it!

TVD: How much longer do you think you’ll be doing This Morning for?

PS: I’ll know when the time is right. Hopefully I’ve always known when the time is right…

TVD: Hopefully not for a while longer, as we love watching you every morning! Thanks Phillip!

We had the pleasure of speaking to many of the famous faces who graced the red carpet of last night’s 21st annual National Television Awards. We’ll be posting our interviews with stars including Poldark‘s… read more

More on Celebrity Big Brother

We had the pleasure of speaking to many of the famous faces who graced the red carpet of last night’s 21st annual National Television Awards. We’ll be posting our interviews with stars including Poldark‘s Aidan Turner, Ant and Dec, Lorraine Kelly, Phillip Schofield, Danny Dyer and the recent batch of I’m a Celeb contestants, but firstly let’s kick things off with our chat with Big Brother‘s very lovely Rylan Clark-Neal, who was nominated for best TV presenter:

Hey Rylan! How are you feeling about this season of Celebrity Big Brother?

RC: Oh, we’re definitely having one on Big Brother this year! Just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse, it just gets even crazier…

Who’s your favourite contestant in the house at the moment?

RC: I haven’t got one! I never have one! But I’ve gotta say, I am enjoying Tiffany’s escapades in the house, I think she’s priceless.

How do you feel about the walk outs this year?

RC: Well there’s people who are ripping their arm off to get on the show, but it’s their own choice [if they want to leave].

Where do you see your career going from here?

RC: I’m really happy with what I’m doing at the moment. It’s more about what you say no to than what you say yes to – I’ve learned that very quickly.

We’ve seen some men joining the ladies on Loose Women – can you see yourself on there?

RC: Ruth [Langsford]’s already wrote me into it! I’m sure I’ll be on there sometime soon. I mean, I couldn’t possibly confirm that, but yeah, she definitely does like to rope me in!

And what are your thoughts on the budding relationship between Stephanie [Davis] and Jeremy [McConnell] in the CBB house?

It’s a tough situation, but each to their own. I ain’t gonna dish it out like I’m Oprah!